Rhythm in Art and Music

There is so much rhythm in art and music, don’t you agree? Or maybe you are thinking there’s rhythm in music, but art? Maybe not! I look forward to sharing this week’s painting experience with you. Maybe the connection will be clearer? Stay tuned! But first, I welcome new readers to this blog. And, here’s a link with an explanation of the purpose of this post and blog. OK time to tune in (ha!) to today’s topic: rhythm.

Hearing the Beat

No matter your musical preference, there is always some kind of beat that draws us into a song. And, if Ted Goia, author of the book “Healing Songs” had his way, he would want everyone to know that our very own bodies create rhythm. How? Our heart, he writes “…pulsates at roughly the same tempo as Ravel’s Bolero, an insistent seventy-two beats per minute…” His goal? To help us see the beauty of music and rhythm is within each of us. He believes we need both music and rhythm to live and enrich our lives.

Seeing the Beat

I propose that seeing rhythm has it’s merits too! The original source of rhythm is nature. What better place for me to seek out that visual beat than the outdoors? Even if the heat index is off the charts, I could not resist heading outdoors to paint this past week. So, I hoisted my backpack and paints and tripod on my back and stepped outside. Where did I end up? Just down the street from our house at Edna Metz Wells Park. It’s a tiny little park but it has a creek, bridge, a dirt path and dappled light. There are grand old tulip trees, brand new oak trees and pine trees with trunks that are huge!

Light on the big pine tree trunk is what caught my eye initially. It was actually quite subtle. Here’s a photo of the set up when I first arrived. You might notice that there are some lighter areas on the path but no clear shadows from the tree canopy above at all.

But after I used my viewfinder to pick a composition, drew a thumbnail sketch and mixed up the paints I was going to use, the light was already starting to change. In fact, I think the changing light is one of the challenges and lures of painting en plein air (outdoors).

What About Rhythm

I confess I didn’t think about the rhythm of this painting right away. I was too busy squinting, stepping back and looking for the initial big shapes. And, of course, this is when the painting does not look like much of anything but a bunch of big shapes!

But as I painted a bit longer, I kept seeing the vertical lines of the trees! What wonderful rhythm they were creating. And, there are always the rogue characters in nature that draw you in to get you to look a bit longer. Such as? Such as the tree leaning to the left.

Work In Progress

Here’s where this painting is right now. Check out the shadows from the tree canopy here. Isn’t it amazing how much the light has changed?

Right now I am excited to see how the path and the trees interact with each other. I love the way the trees are standing as sentinels to draw your eye in. Here’s a closer version of the painting.

But mostly I wanted to share my awareness of the rhythm and movement in this painting and hope you see it too.

More Music In Your Life

If you are in search of more rhythm in music and art in your life, considering traveling to Newburyport, MA for its fantastic Chamber Music festival this summer! My kid sister, Beth Clary, is the board president for this event. And, there are so many delightful musical concerts, open rehearsals and panel discussions scheduled this year starting August 3 through August 14.

Here’s a wonderful peak at the rehearsals for the Festival’s spring 2021 performance.

It’s fascinating to hear the musicians talk about their experience rehearsing together. It’s a beautiful collaborative search for beauty and rhythm. Here’s a link for the tickets if you decide to go. And, even if you can’t make it, this non-profit festival would love it if you could make a supportive donation.

In some ways, I think a Chamber Music Festival like this one in Newburyport, MA is similar to plein air painting. Why? In each situation, there’s a short amount of time to prepare and then woosh the music starts (or the painting begins). Each has the opportunity to bloom and create rhythm and beauty for us to see, hear and enjoy.

What About You

What about you gentle reader? Are you seeing or hearing rhythm and beauty in new or unexpected ways? If so, please do share in the comments below. And, thank you as always for reading here today!